Fast and Easy Dog Bow Tie

Happy Holidays!

If you are still looking for the perfect accessory for your dog for the holiday pictures, this may be the perfect project. If you use a sewing machine, you can have this done within 5 minutes. Even if you are not skilled at sewing - you can make this. All the stitching is hidden from view.

Needed materials:

Small amount of fabric - I usually just use a fat quarter, since this requires a small amount of fabric. 

Sewing Machine or Needle and Thread

Dog Collar or some other way to attach to your dog (ribbon, elastic, ties, clips, etc.)

Step 1: Cut two rectangles out of your fabric. 

Cut the large one double the size of what you want your finished bow tie to be, plus double the amount of the seam allowance. 

For example: This finished tie is 5.75" wide by 3.25" tall. I am using a .25" seam allowance. (5.75 + .25) x 2 = 12", (3.25 + .25) x 2 = 7". I cut the large rectangle 12" x 7". 

Do the same thing for the small rectangle. I cut mine 2.5" x 2.5" One side will be the width of the knot and the other side will be the length of the knot wrapping around the bow and the collar - or whatever you are using to attach to your dog. I attach my bow ties with elastic, so I do not worry about this too much. If you are going to attach yours to a collar, you may want to complete the bow and then come back to this step to cut the small rectangle to ensure it is long enough. Keep in mind, if you are using the type of collar that snaps shut instead of buckles, you will also need to be able to fit it over the snap at the end.

Step 2: Fold the rectangles in half lengthwise. The inside of the fabric should face you. Sew along the long edge.

Step 3: You will now have two tubes. Turn them right-side out. Lay them out so the seam is in the center and facing you.

Step 4: Fold the rectangles in half the other way. The side with the seam in the center should be facing you. Sew along the side edge.

Step 5: Turn them right-side out. All the stitching should be on the inside. Lay the large rectangle down so the seam runs through the center of the back. Pinch the center and pull a needle and thread thru the center a few times to hold it.

Step 6: Pull the bow through the small loop to make the knot of the tie. Make sure the seam of the knot is on the back side of the tie.

Step 7: Thread the collar or whatever you are using through the back of the tie. If the knot is sliding around, you may want to put a stitch or two through the back of the knot to hold it.

If you want to make fabric ties to tie around your dog's neck, you can follow the steps for the ties in this posting. Start with step 8.

I usually use .5" elastic to attach mine for a couple reasons. My dogs are very fluffy. If I attach it to their collars, the bow tie just gets buried under the hair. So, whatever I use to attach it needs to be very loose. It basically needs to just hang there so it doesn't get buried. Also, I just use mine for a quick picture. The bow ties are only on for a few minutes and then I take them off. The elastic makes this easy to slide off and on their heads. If you are planning on keeping the bow ties on your dog for a long period of time, it is best to use a collar and not elastic. You do not want your tie to get caught on anything and harm your dog.

Step 8: Let everyone admire your handsome dog!

Frankie was not in the mood to model this tie, so this is not a great picture. But I have made lots of these ties for other holidays. Here are a few pictures of the finished product.

DIY Heavy-Duty Fleece Rope Dog Toy

This Friday, August 26th, is National Dog Day. Since my dog demands my attention and takes up all my free time, I thought I would make a post for a rope toy that I made for him.

These ropes are easy and inexpensive to make. They also are very strong and will withstand lots of abuse from even large dogs!

There are lots of steps to this, but don't worry, it is not difficult and it gets easier once you get started.

Needed Supplies: 

Fleece fabric remnants

Scissors

Step 1: Cut the fabric.

Cut 4 strips of fleece between 3" and 4" wide. I cut mine at 4" because my dog is large. If you are making a toy for a small dog, you may want to cut the strips a little thinner.

Fleece stretches in one direction. Cut the fabric so it stretches the length of the strips, not the width.

I used 2 different colors, but you could use all the same color or 4 different colors. I suggest using at least 2 different colors for the first time that you make this. It just makes it easier to see what you are doing. 

You can cut your strips as long as you want for your dog. I suggest cutting the strips the full length of the fabric. As you knot it, the length is going to get shorter. When you get to the desired length, you can stop and trim off the excess.

The cuts do not have to be perfect. I just eyeballed it. You can see that my cuts were pretty jagged and the strips were not exactly the same width through the entire length. I promise that your dog is not going to complain.

Pile the strips on top of each other.

Make a knot at the top. I left about 3" for the fringe.

Step 2: Lay the strips out so 1 strip goes straight out to each side and 2 strips go down the middle. It will kind of look like a person with the knot for the head. I labeled the strips A, B, C, and D to make the explanation easier.

Step 3: Take strip A and cross it over B and C. It should be parallel to strip D.

Step 4: Take strip C and fold it up and over strips A and D.

Step 5: Take strip D and fold it over both the inside and outside parts of strip C.

Step 6: Put the end of strip D under strip B.

Step 7: Put the end of strip D over strip A.

Step 8: Pull all your strips tight. Pull A and D right and left and pull B and C down and up. It doesn't have to be super tight, but tight enough that it isn't going to come loose when your dog is playing with it. It is better to be too tight than too loose.

Your knot will look like a little box. You will notice that the strips are in a different order. D will go to the left, A goes to the right, C goes up and B goes down.

Now, things get a little easier!

Step 9: Fold strip B up over strip D. Fold strip C down over strip A.

Step 10: Fold Strip D over B and through the loop at the top of C. Fold Strip A over C and through the loop at the bottom of B.

Step 11: Pull all your strips tight. Pull A and D left and right and pull B and C up and down. You will now have another box. You will notice that the strips are again in a different order. A goes to the left, D will go to the right, B goes up and C goes down.

Step 12: Fold strip B down over strip A. Fold strip C up over strip D.

Step 13: Fold Strip D over C and through the loop at the top of B. Fold Strip A over B and through the loop at the bottom of C.

Step 14: Pull all your strips tight. Pull A and D left and right and pull B and C down and up.

Strip D will now go to the left, A goes to the right, C goes up and B goes down.

Step 15: Repeat steps 9 through 14. Your rope will begin looking like this.

Step 16: Continue to repeat these steps until the rope is as long as you want for your dog. Make a knot at the end.

Step 17: Trim the ends so all strips are even. If you would like the trim to look a little more full, make a few cuts into each strip. I made my cuts about 1 1/2 inches down.

 Step 18: Go play with your dog!

These ropes are easy to make, inexpensive, and are very strong. They hold up to abuse and tug of war by even large dogs.

These are also great for teething puppies. Just soak it in water, put it in a zip-loc bag, and let it freeze. Then, give it to your puppy to chew on. The cold will help soothe the puppy's gums.

When the rope is dirty, you can throw it right into the washing machine and dryer. The ropes may get stretched out a bit. If you throw it in the dryer, it will shrink back.

These ropes would also make a great donation to your local animal shelter or rescue group.

Now, go have fun with your dog!

DIY St. Patrick's Day Cat Toy

DIY St. Patrick's Day Cat Toy

My cats love to play with anything that involves a string. They needed a new St. Patrick's Day toy, so I made them a shamrock toy. I already had all the needed supplies, so it was completely free and they love it. You can make one, too!

Needed materials:

Sturdy dowel 3-4 feet long

Small amount of felt

Small amount of string or yarn

Step 1: Draw up a template. I drew a simple shamrock. You could make whatever shape you want. If you want to use my template, you can find it here.

Step 2: Cut the shamrocks out of the felt. You may find it easier to pin the shamrocks to the felt prior to cutting them out. I cut out four shamrocks.

Step 3: Thread the string through the shamrocks.

Step 4: Tie a knot below each shamrock to keep them spaced out.

Step 5: Drill a hole through the dowel.

Step 6: Thread the string through the hole in the dowel and securely tie it.

Step 7: Play with your cat!

Free Knitting Pattern Dog Chew-No-More Leg Cover

My dog, Gibson, has been fighting bladder cancer for the past few years. Although there is no cure for canine bladder cancer, he has beat the odds and has lived much longer than expected. He has good days and bad days, but is still very happy.

Gibson has tried several different treatments. For awhile, he was getting IV chemotherapy. Just like in humans, there are risks that come with chemotherapy. He had a reaction to an injection that he received in his upper front leg. He kept chewing and licking the spot, which made the irritation worse. 

I looked around at the store for something to cover it, but could not find anything that would stay on his leg and he would leave alone.

I created this to cover the wound and prevent him from further irritating the sore. He was still able to pull it down with his teeth, so I attached a piece of elastic to wrap around it and hold it up. It worked perfectly! Gibson left it alone long enough to heal.

Materials Needed:

• Worsted Weight Yarn - If this is going to be on a sore, natural fibers will be less irritating than synthetic fibers. 
• Set of four size 7 double-pointed knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.

Optional Materials: 

• Roll of 1 inch wide elastic band.
• Needle and thread.
• Fasteners - I used the fasteners from an old set of sheet straps.

Instructions:

With size 7 dpns, cast on 20 stitches. 
Join in the round, and work in K1, P1 ribbing for 5 rounds. 
Evenly increase 4 stitches on the next round and continue in the K1, P1 ribbing until work from beginning measures about 1 ¾ inches.

Elbow Opening: Cast off 12 stitches loosely in ribbing. Rib to the end of the round. Cast on 12 stitches and rejoin in round. Work 5 rounds in K1, P1 ribbing. Knit all stitches in round until work from the elbow opening measures about 4 ¾ inches (or the length needed for your dog’s leg). Decrease 4 stitches evenly on the next round. Work 8 rounds in k1, P1 ribbing. Cast off in ribbing. Weave in ends.

Elastic band: Cut a piece of 1 inch wide elastic long enough to wrap around the dog. Make sure it is not too loose so the dog can pull the cover down, but you don’t want it too tight to make it uncomfortable. My dog is a fat lab, and the elastic I used was about 27 ½ inches. You can either sew it directly to the leg cover or attach some kind of fastener to be able to remove the strap.

Notes: I made this for a large lab’s leg. You may have to adjust the number of stitches and/or change the yarn or needle size to obtain a size that fits your dog.

You can download the pdf of this pattern here or from the Ravelry website. While you are on the Ravelry website, be sure to check out some of my other projects on my project page!